Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Nets PETA Offer to Display Famous “Fish Are Friends” Empathy Quilt

For Immediate Release:
September 14, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Ahead of Fish Amnesty Day (September 26), which reminds everyone that fish should be left in peace, not in pieces, PETA sent a letter today to Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Executive Director Jane Werner, offering to provide PETA’s one-of-a-kind Fish Empathy Quilt – comprising squares from Jean-Michel Cousteau, among other luminaries, and children from all over the United States- for display in the museum’s Kindness Gallery. PETA notes that the quilt’s message of compassion for aquatic animals would go swimmingly with the gallery’s mission—as well as the museum’s own fish sculptures, “Al, Mo & Oh: The Three That Got Away.”

PETA’s quilt has made a splash from coast to coast—including during a monthlong stay at Eureka City Hall in California—and if the museum displays it, PETA has offered to send its mascot, Tiffany Tuna, for a festive unveiling complete with a meet-and-greet, fish-themed coloring activities, and delicious fish-free treats for young visitors.

“Fish are clever, playful, feeling beings who don’t want to be yanked from their homes and eaten any more than a dog or human being would,” says PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA hopes the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will embrace this fin-tastic opportunity to teach kids that the kindest thing we can do for fish is to leave them in peace.”

The Fish Empathy Quilt measures more than 300 square feet and is composed of more than 100 unique, handcrafted squares from PETA members and supporters, including cartoonist Harry Bliss and oceanographic explorer and film producer Jean-Michel Cousteau. Fish Amnesty Day was launched in 1997 and is celebrated annually on the fourth Saturday in September to promote compassion for marine life.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that when it comes to the ability to feel pain, hunger, and fear, a fish is a dog is a boy. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Werner follows.

September 14, 2026

Jane Werner

Executive Director

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

Dear Ms. Werner:

Hello! I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 10.4 million members and supporters worldwide, including over 250,000 across Pennsylvania—in advance of Fish Amnesty Day, a nonviolent alternative to National Hunting and Fishing Day on September 26 that promotes respect for all animals, including those with fins. We have an offer that would surely make a splash with your young visitors: Will you please display PETA’s Fish Empathy Quilt in your Kindness Gallery this month to encourage patrons to extend empathy and compassion to fish?

Unlike “The Three That Got Away” who reside permanently near the museum’s entrance, billions of fish endure the pain of being hooked through their sensitive mouths, which have many nerve endings, every year. And fish who are released after they’re hooked often die from their injuries and the loss of their protective outer coating. It should be no more acceptable to harm them than it is to harm any other living beings. Just like dogs and cats—and humans, for that matter—fish have individual personalities. They communicate with each other, show affection by gently rubbing against one another, and are extremely resourceful and intelligent. More and more people now realize that fish deserve to be treated with kindness, not cruelty. PETA’s Fish Empathy Quilt beautifully reflects this new awareness.

A vibrant, creative depiction of marine life, our Fish Empathy Quilt features more than 100 unique squares contributed by students, Scouts, and other individuals from around the world, including a few famous ones, such as cartoonist Harry Bliss and French oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau. Collectively, they’ve created an artwork that continues to grow as people’s sensitivity to the plight of animals increases. It consists of six sections of varying dimensions, which can be displayed separately or clipped together as one large exhibit (over 300 square feet).

If you agree to display it, we would be happy to have our mascot Tiffany Tuna hand out coloring books and crayons to kids and serve delicious fish-free foods for all to enjoy. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid Newkirk

Founder